Training in the Spiraling Sphere was easier than expected. Perhaps because he was already skilled in chakra manipulation, he mastered the basic version in just a few days.
But when he tried to incorporate Wind Release, the pressure began to mount.
The Wind Release: Great Spiraling Sphere was a Sage-level technique. Its destructive power was such that few in the entire Shinobi World—or few techniques—could withstand it. However, the true difficulty of mastering this technique is far beyond that of an ordinary Spiraling Sphere.
In fact, the Spiraling Sphere is already an S-rank ninjutsu. Even if it were widely taught, very few in Konoha could actually learn it. Kakashi barely knows it, but he's terrible at using it—far worse than his own Lightning Cutter.
The best users in Konoha are Jiraiya and, in the future, Naruto.
The Great Spiraling Sphere, however, takes it a step further. Its difficulty is at least 3S-rank. What Aoba wants is not only to incorporate Wind Nature Transformation into it but also to infuse it with Sage Chakra, creating an ultimate ninjutsu capable of delivering a decisive blow.
At the very least, it should be strong enough to flatten the Raikage in a single hit.
Secret experiments, ninjutsu training—Aoba's days were exceptionally busy. Sometimes, even Kakashi found it hard to understand.
Aoba was already so powerful, yet he still pushed himself with near-insane dedication.
"Could it be that you actually want to become Hokage?"
"Heh, whether in terms of strength or popularity, I'm absolutely qualified to compete for the next Hokage position. But listen to your tone, Kakashi—deep down, you already feel like I could never become Hokage, don't you?"
Kakashi sometimes found Aoba irritating because he always knew exactly how to stab at someone's heart. Like now—what Aoba said was exactly what Kakashi secretly thought but didn't know how to voice.
How could Aoba ever become Hokage? He had no connection whatsoever to the current Hokage lineage. That alone made it impossible for him to take the position.
"Think what you want. I just feel your ideals differ from the Hokage's."
"No, Kakashi. My ideals only differ from the current Hokage's. But don't forget—if I become Hokage, then my ideals will be the Hokage's ideals. Still, I can answer your initial question now: I've never thought about becoming Hokage."
Kakashi looked into Aoba's eyes and nodded. Then, in a tone that was hard to place—somewhere between relief and disappointment—he said,
"I believe you."
"Oh? I answered your question. Now, can you answer mine?"
Kakashi felt slightly awkward. Aoba's earlier question was about what Konoha truly was.
Kakashi wasn't unintelligent—in fact, he was quite sharp. He understood exactly what Aoba meant. The question was whether Konoha was represented by the Hokage or by its people.
But he couldn't answer that yet. Because he didn't know.
Based on his upbringing, he should've immediately said the Hokage. But emotionally, he felt it should be the people.
The two answers wrestled in his mind, but he couldn't settle on the best conclusion.
"Seems you haven't figured it out yet. That's fine—take your time. Oh, and New Year's is coming up. I've invited Guy and the others for a gathering three days from now at the Akimichi BBQ place. Don't forget to come."
"Got it."
Returning home, Aoba disappeared back into his lab. But this time, instead of continuing his previous research, he began tinkering with a few small objects.One day, while on the road, Aoba encountered a familiar figure. The other person's eyes also lit up upon seeing him. However, they hesitated, unsure how to greet each other.
"Hey, Sasuke. Don't you recognize me?"
The young boy was none other than Uchiha Sasuke. No matter what, at this time, Uchiha Sasuke was truly an innocent victim. In Aoba's heart, he was just a pitiful little boy.
However, it's not without reason that Uchiha Sasuke would later be called "Second Pillar." This kid had a tsundere personality. Coupled with the immense burdens he carried, his character had already developed issues at such a young age.
In Aoba's view, Konoha's education system was nothing but garbage, aside from its impressive brainwashing techniques. There was absolutely no consideration for Sasuke's psychological issues. No wonder the kid later insisted on seeking out Orochimaru.
The teaching standards in Konoha—or perhaps the arrangements by the higher-ups—simply couldn't satisfy his desired growth rate.
Uchiha Sasuke actually wanted to see Aoba again. Though they had only interacted once, the tree-climbing and water-walking techniques he learned from Aoba were extremely practical skills.
Though he was tsundere, he wasn't stupid. After practicing repeatedly, he immediately realized these were crucial skills for a shinobi.
After mastering these two techniques, he wanted to continue learning from Aoba. But his tsundere nature made it hard for him to voice his request.
Moreover, as a Jonin, Aoba was often away on missions. When he returned to Konoha, he would hole up in his lab conducting experiments. Sasuke couldn't even engineer a chance encounter.
With the year-end approaching, Aoba finally relaxed a little, allowing Sasuke to run into him on the street. The two walked and chatted.
"Why aren't you in school... Ah, right, the school's on break. I forgot. At your age, you should be spending more time playing with friends."
"I know, but I don't have time. I need to get stronger, I need—"
"You need to defeat that person, I know. But balancing work and rest is important too. And if I recall, besides defeating that person, you have another goal, right?"
"...Yes. I want to restore the Uchiha clan."
Hearing these words from young Sasuke, Aoba didn't find it amusing. Instead, he felt a pang of sorrow.
Konoha, Danzo, Itachi Uchiha, and Obito Uchiha—these were the ones who collectively orchestrated that tragedy, yet the consequences fell entirely on this child before him. Aoba couldn't even imagine how the kid managed to sleep at night.
"Do you know how to restore the Uchiha clan?"
"Well, if I become the strongest shinobi, the Uchiha name will naturally regain its glory."
"Is that so? Is that what you think restoring the Uchiha clan means?"
"Isn't it?"
"Hahaha, alright, Sasuke. Let me describe a scenario for you to consider. Suppose you achieve your first goal and become a powerful shinobi.
Then one day, you grow old and eventually die. What do you think will happen to the Uchiha name then?"
"...It will disappear!!!"